‘Jeopardy!’ champ Brian Henegar compared to Hitler, quits Twitter
The reigning champion on “Jeopardy!” left Twitter on Tuesday after several viewers compared the Tennessee native to Adolf Hitler.
Brian Henegar, who works at Pilot Flying J truck stop, appeared on the Monday episode and swept the competition — dethroning reigning champ Crystal Zhao with a whopping $23,201 in winnings.
Sadly, the 40-year-old’s victory did not stop online trolls.
“I need someone in Brian’s life to tell him he kinda looks like Hitler,” tweeted one viewer.
“Brian was so excited when he won, he caused quite a führer,” remarked another person.
Henegar responded by saying that he planned on leaving the social media site.
“Right now I’m feeling every emotion under the sun reliving my ‘Jeopardy!’ appearance,” wrote Henegar. “And I’m seeing what a bunch of Jerks on Twitter are doing because all they can focus on [are] my looks … So I’m going to be leaving Twitter for a while, see you soon.”
The Post has reached out to reps for “Jeopardy!” for comment.
Despite the amount of hate, several Twitter users defended Henegar.
“The fact Brian Henegar on Jeopardy! last night is being compared to a historically evil dictator based on his looks is utterly disgusting,” defended one user who claimed to know Henegar. “Bet it’s because all the haters are jealous of his knowledge … go touch grass … Also I know Brian well and he is a lovely guy … so there.”
“I told Brian Henegar this morning that he has accrued quite a fan base. I’ve known him for years,” gushed another alleged friend. “He is very genuine & kind. Let’s keep the positivity flowing for the newest @Jeopardy Champion! Enjoy this, Brian. It is well deserved.”
“You look fine, Brian Henegar … And you played well. Keep on being you,” encouraged a third person.
Henegar said that outpouring of love was the reason why he has temporarily returned to Twitter.
“So … I’m back on Twitter for the time being at least … I wanna say that seeing these really hurtful comments by some very jerky people made me lose all faith in humanity,” he wrote on Wednesday. “Seeing all of your positive replies, restored it, and then some. Thank u all and god bless you.”
Henegar also revealed that in an effort to stave off the continued trolling, he decided to shave his mustache.
“So I have two things to say right now, and then I’m not gonna say anything else about the matter for the sake of my own sanity,” said the “Jeopardy!” champ. “For starters, even though I’ve spent about 10 years on it, i’m shaving off my mustache tonight … too much work to keep it tight.
“And second, to all of you jerkolas you thought comparing my appearance to one of the most evil dictators, who ever lived was the height of comedy, when I get my Jeopardy winnings, I will be making a donation to the Anti-Defamation League,” he continued.
“That way some good will come from your hate.”
Henegar then said he wasn’t going to shave his facial hair but rather grow it out.
“So I decided rather than to shave off my mustache, I’m just gonna grow it out into a goatee … I admit that I run the risk of making myself look like my evil twin from a parallel universe, but that’s just the risk I am willing to take,” joked Henegar.
Henegar appeared on the game show again Wednesday, when he once again swept the board, winning $20,001.
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